Edward M. Kennedy: “one of the principal aspects of the health care crisis we face is high costs that today's patchwork health care system…”

“one of the principal aspects of the health care crisis we face is high costs that today's patchwork health care system imposes on all aspects of our economy--the public sector and the private sector alike. We all know the burden on the Federal budget. But for years, State budgets has suffered, too, from the soaring cost of Medicaid and the equally soaring health care costs for State employees and retirees. State spending on Medicaid nearly tripled in the past decade, consuming a greater and greater portion of limited State budgets. In 1992, Medicaid absorbed 17 percent of State spending, up from 10 percent just 5 years earlier. In fact, with the exception of education, States spend more on health care than any other item in their budget. Like other employers, States have seen the cost of health insurance continue to escalate. Nationally, States spent almost $11 billion to insure their workers and retirees last year, up 45 percent over the past 3 years. In Massachusetts, the cost of insuring State workers more than doubled over the past 7 years, from $200 million in 1986 to $465 million in 1993. When our patchwork health care system fails, it is often State and local governments are left holding the bag. Despite Medicaid and other measures, nearly 40 million Americans are uninsured today. Two million more lose their health insurance every month.”